GEORGE TOWN – The reopening of school next month may be delayed for SK Sg Nibong teachers and pupils, after the building caught fire this afternoon.
Quick action by the public to inform the school’s security guard of the fire prevented the building from being razed.
Smoke seen at the back of the premises about 1.50pm was initially thought to be from a clean-up operation being conducted by the school, but concerned witnesses decided to alert the guard to be safe.
Bayan Baru Fire and Rescue Department chief Azrul Khairi Abu Bakar said it received an emergency call at 1.53pm, and a team arrived at the scene 10 minutes later.
The fire is believed to have started in teachers’ staff room.
“The fire only involved the teacher’s room, which was 30% damaged,” said Azrul Khairi.
"We took 15 minutes to extinguish the flames with the help of the Jalan Perak fire station and volunteer fire brigade.”
He said the room was empty at the time of the incident, and that the cause of the fire is under investigation.
SK Sg Nibong has some 500 pupils, and the building is believed to be almost 20 years old. – The Vibes, September 13, 2021